Brothers Dwight Schroeder, left, and Lowell Schroeder of Santa Ana wrote a letter to the city opposiing historic designation for the Sexlinger orchard. "The Sexlingers were friends and neighbors of our family," they said. "Despite valiant efforts by Martha, the grove fell into decline. This was largely due to the loss of irrigation water about 1974 when the Santa Ana Valley Irrigation Company ceased operation."

Oranges dangle from a tree at the Sexlinger family orange grove in this 2008 photo. Supporters of designating the site as historic said that the orchard is commercially viable. "This original five-acre heritage orchard...is an archetypal representative of an era when small-scale citrus growers and modest family farms were the backbone of California's agricultural industry," said a letter to the city from Statistical Research Inc.

A sign wards off would-be trespassers at the Sexlinger orange grove in this 2008 photo. A city report said it has about 250 trees, while preservationists said they counted about 230 trees by walking along the perimeter of the property. "Too many of our city's young people and new residents, even long time residents for that matter, have no idea of the agricultural history of Santa Ana," said a letter from Sylvia M. Salenius to the city in support of historic designation.

Rotting oranges sit below a tree at the Sexlinger orange grove in this 2008 photo. One longtime resident of the area who runs a small orchard called the property "a mess."

Tava Development Co., under a current proposal, would buiild 24 single-family homes on the Sexlinger property. Save Our Orchard Coalition envisions an urban agricultural center with a community garden at the site.

Here's a 2008 photo of the Sexlinger house near Portola Park in Santa Ana. The house was built in 1913 by Perry V. Grout, who sold it soon after to George and Sophia Sexlinger. Members of their family lived in it until 2006. The current owners, who include the Concordia University Foundation, said in a letter to the city, "Because it is not economically feasible to operate the orchard, and because the current home is in dilapidated condition, it is very unlikely that we will receive any economically feasible offers to purchase the property" if it had historic designation.

SANTA ANA – The City Council granted city historic designation to a century-old house and orchard, opening the door for preservationists to raise money to protect the property from housing development.

Jay M. Trevino, executive director of the Planning & Building Agency, recommended that the council approve the historic designation for the nearly century old Craftsman-style bungalow and orchard. He said the property met two minimal tests – it’s more than 50 years old and associated with a business that while once was common is now rare. He said it qualifies as “key,” meaning its characteristic of a significant period in the city’s history. The designation came despite opposition from the owners.

When she died in 2006, Martha Sexlinger, the last member of the family to live on the property, donated it to Concordia University Foundation and Orange Lutheran High School, which asked the council to affirm the commission’s decision. The owners plan to seek city approval to develop the property with 24 single-family homes. If the historic designation were approved, representative said in a letter, “it is likely that the property would remain in its abandoned state for some time.”

“The reality of the law is that it’s in the hands of the property owner,” said Ron Van Blarcom, Concordia University general counsel. The only offers for the land have come from developers, he said.

Trevino said the listing doesn’t guarantee the property’s preservation. The owners could demolish the house and orchard after an eight-month waiting period, he said. The Historic Resources Commission would be required to explore options to preserve the property.

Preservationists contended the property should be saved because of its unique characteristics – a productive Valencia orchard with some 230 trees sitting alongside the property’s original residence, dating from an era when small-scale citrus growers helped shape Southern California’s culture and economy. They envision an urban agricultural center with community gardens and a working orchard where children could learn about the county’s past and how food is grown.

Nick Spain, senior adviser for the Save Our Orchard Coalition, said the group plans to embark on a fund-raising campaign, seeking private donations and grants to acquire the property at fair market value.

About 20 people spoke in favor of the historic designation, many with longtime ties to the area, with one, longtime area resident Dwight Schroeder, in opposition, citing the listing’s impact on the property’s value.

Among them was Elaine Cali, a seventh-generation Californian who lives near the orchard.

“My mother and father met at a packing house after World War II,” she said. She recalled the scent of orange groves as a child.

“This is an important landmark in Orange County history, of Santa Ana’s history, of California’s history, that’s in your hands to keep or destroy,” she said. She said the property could serve as a venue for events, and provide a resource for the community.

The property, with its 1,350-square-foot house, sits along the 1500 block of East Santa Clara Avenue near Portola Park.

The house was built in 1913 by Perry V. Grout, who sold it soon after to George and Sophia Sexlinger. Members of their family lived in it until 2006.

The Historic Resources Commission found itself sorting through the wishes of Martha Sexlinger, the challenge of maintaining the property as a Valencia orchard in the face of owner opposition and conflicting analyses of the property’s historic merit.

Councilman Carlos Bustamante, describing himself as “a property rights guy” and a preservationist, voted against the historic designation. “If you want to buy it, just raise money and go buy it,” he said. “In the end I have to weigh the rights of the property versus the wishes of your neighbor.”

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